Effects of Ambient Acoustic Noise on the Auditory Steady-State Response Thresholds in Normally Hearing Adults

Vol. 13, No. 1, 2008

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 179 KB)

Original Paper

Effects of Ambient Acoustic Noise on the Auditory Steady-State Response Thresholds in Normally Hearing Adults
Joseph Kei^a, Damian Smith^a, Salimon Joseph^a, James Stopa^a, Soonsil Kang^a, Ross Darnell^b

^aDivision of Audiology,
^bSchool of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Address of Corresponding Author

Audiol Neurotol 2008;13:13-18 (DOI: 10.1159/000107433)

Key Words

Auditory steady-state response
Behavioral thresholds
Noise
Speech babble

Abstract

The effect of noise on auditory steady-state response (ASSR) has not been systematically studied, despite the fact that ASSR thresholds are sometimes measured in noisy environments. This study examined the effects of noise (speech babble) on the ASSR thresholds obtained from 31 normal hearing adults aged from 17 to 36 years (mean = 25 years). The ASSR thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz were measured in the right ear only using the Biologic MASTER system twice in quiet and in the presence of 55 dB A and 75 dB A of speech babble. The results showed no change in mean ASSR thresholds across the test-retest conditions in quiet. The mean ASSR thresholds obtained in the quiet conditions were 23.8, 22.5, 18.2 and 20.4 dB HL at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz, respectively. No significant shift in ASSR thresholds across all test frequencies was found when 55 dB A of speech babble was presented. However, when 75 dB A of noise was applied, the mean ASSR thresholds were significantly shifted by 9.5, 3.8, 4.2 and 5.8 dB at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz, respectively.

Author Contacts

Dr. Joseph Kei
Division of Audiology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The University of Queensland
Brisbane 4072, Queensland (Australia)
Tel. +61 7 3365 2824, Fax +61 7 3365 1622, E-Mail k.kei@uq.edu.au

Article Information

Received: February 2, 2007
Accepted after revision: April 25, 2007
Published online: August 22, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 21

Medline Abstract (ID 17715465)

Download Citation

Special offer for
members of the ARO

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.